K. Ramakrishna Pillai (Aged 38) born in 1878 was a nationalist writer, journalist, editor, and political activist. He edited Swadeshabhimani (The Patriot), which became a potent weapon against British rule and the erstwhile princely state of Travancore (Kerala, India), and a tool for social transformation. His criticism of the Diwan of Travancore, P. Rajagopalachari, and the Maharajah eventually led to the confiscation of the newspaper.
In 1910, Ramakrishna Pillai was arrested and exiled from Travancore. Vrithantha Pathra Pravarthanam (1912) and Karl Marx (1912) are among his most noted works in Malayalam. Vrithantha Pathra Pravarthanam was the first book on journalism in Malayalam, and Karl Marx was the first-ever biography of Karl Marx in any Indian language.
Swadeshabhimani’s pen was aimed against corruption in the state and injustice in society. He irritated the Maharajah Moolam Thirunal himself by criticizing the large expenses incurred by the Royal consort, the Panapillai Amma, for constructing private palaces and publicly celebrating the wedding of the daughter of the Maharajah.
On 26 September 1910, Swadeshabhimani newspaper and the printing press were sealed and confiscated by the British Police. Ramakrishna Pillai was arrested and banished from Travancore to Thirunelveli in the Madras Province of British India. Political journalist K. Kumar had great admiration for Ramakrishna Pillai, and he took the lead role in organizing the deportation day of Pillai as “Ramakrishna Pillai Day” and erecting his statue in Trivandrum. Ramakrishna Pillai Day continued to be commemorated in Trivandrum for a long time thereafter.
Ramakrishna Pillai was a prolific writer and fearless campaigner of civil rights. He passed away due to ill-health on 28 March 1916.
Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai
(1878 – 1916) – (Kerala)
K. Ramakrishna Pillai (Aged 38) born in 1878 was a nationalist writer, journalist, editor, and political activist. He edited Swadeshabhimani (The Patriot), which became a potent weapon against British rule and the erstwhile princely state of Travancore (Kerala, India), and a tool for social transformation. His criticism of the Diwan of Travancore, P. Rajagopalachari, and the Maharajah eventually led to the confiscation of the newspaper.
In 1910, Ramakrishna Pillai was arrested and exiled from Travancore. Vrithantha Pathra Pravarthanam (1912) and Karl Marx (1912) are among his most noted works in Malayalam. Vrithantha Pathra Pravarthanam was the first book on journalism in Malayalam, and Karl Marx was the first-ever biography of Karl Marx in any Indian language.
Swadeshabhimani’s pen was aimed against corruption in the state and injustice in society. He irritated the Maharajah Moolam Thirunal himself by criticizing the large expenses incurred by the Royal consort, the Panapillai Amma, for constructing private palaces and publicly celebrating the wedding of the daughter of the Maharajah.
On 26 September 1910, Swadeshabhimani newspaper and the printing press were sealed and confiscated by the British Police. Ramakrishna Pillai was arrested and banished from Travancore to Thirunelveli in the Madras Province of British India. Political journalist K. Kumar had great admiration for Ramakrishna Pillai, and he took the lead role in organizing the deportation day of Pillai as “Ramakrishna Pillai Day” and erecting his statue in Trivandrum. Ramakrishna Pillai Day continued to be commemorated in Trivandrum for a long time thereafter.
Ramakrishna Pillai was a prolific writer and fearless campaigner of civil rights. He passed away due to ill-health on 28 March 1916.
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